Real People, Real Pain, Real Power

Read Time:5 Minute, 3 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Raise Your Hand
–

Genre: Drama
Year Released: 2020, 2025
Runtime: 1h 34m
Director(s): Jessica Rae
Writer(s): Jessica Rae
Cast: Jearnest Corchado, Hanani Taylor, Jess Nurse, Joel Steingold, Gracie Marie Bradley, Janet Craig, Gregory Scott Cummins, Isabella Day, Donat, Fenix Lazzaroni
Where to Watch: digital debut on North American VOD Platforms and DVD on June 3, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: What looks like a straightforward story about teenage girls growing up in the '90s gradually cracks open into something far more raw and personal. Director Jessica Rae delivers a debut that plays with expectation—what seems like a throwback drama at first becomes an intimate account of survival, self-discovery, and quiet rebellion. There’s no exaggeration here, just layered storytelling with a point of view that’s confident and grounded in real life.

The movie follows two teenagers growing up in a Midwestern city, best friends tethered together by circumstance and loyalty. They face challenges that often define coming-of-age dramas—dysfunctional households, social pressure, the pull of love and betrayal—but what distinguishes this story is its refusal to lean into drama for the sake of spectacle. Instead, it filters those experiences through lived-in moments, natural dialogue, and a clear sense that the filmmaker knows this world because she lived it.

Jearnest Corchado as Gia and Hanani Taylor as Lila lead the charge, two performers who do more than just hit their marks. Corchado is especially impactful, carrying the story's emotional weight through scenes that demand transparency. Her character journals her thoughts, but it’s not just a writing device—how we see her process, survive, and hold on to her voice when everything around her threatens to drown it out. Taylor’s portrayal of Lila complements this beautifully, offering a character whose toughness masks deeper wounds. The strength of their performances lies in how unforced they feel. Together, they build an authentic, complicated, and emotionally resonant friendship.

What works so well here is how the story allows its characters to be disheveled. They don’t always make the right choices, and the adults around them aren’t written to swoop in and solve anything. Ms. Ramsey and Amaris—two figures in the school system—are perhaps the only consistent adults offering support, but even they are portrayed with nuance. They have limits, they get overwhelmed, and they try anyway. This is one of the rare films where adults can be part of the solution without being idealized or portrayed as one-dimensional heroes.

Rae shows impressive restraint in how she handles sensitive subject matter. Rather than exaggerating trauma for emotional manipulation, the film chooses subtlety, giving moments the space to land without lingering longer than needed. One scene involving a betrayal between the two friends could have easily tipped into melodrama. Instead, it's quiet, devastating, and deeply affecting. Rae doesn’t force the audience to react—she trusts that the moment's truth is powerful enough.

The project succeeds because it doesn’t rely on tropes. Its characters aren’t reduced to symbols, and its message isn’t spelled in bold letters. The most impactful scene might be a quiet conversation between Gia and her teacher—what begins as a lecture on responsibility becomes a shared acknowledgment of struggle and identity. That moment encapsulates the film's spirit: honest, layered, and surprisingly moving.

What’s most impressive is the film’s ability to communicate vulnerability without sacrificing its edge. Difficult environments shape these characters, but are not defined solely by hardship. There’s humor, love, and even joy sprinkled throughout. The balance between these emotional moments ensures that the story doesn’t become heavy—it stays human. That might be its greatest achievement.

Jessica Rae, making her first feature, directs with a clarity of vision that suggests she knows exactly what story she wants to tell and how to tell it. That level of self-assurance is rare in debut efforts and makes this film stand out. It doesn’t play to expectations—it builds its path and, more importantly, earns its emotions.

By the end, what lingers isn’t just the hardship or the conflict—it’s the resilience, the small victories, and the reminder that even in the toughest environments, there’s room for self-expression and growth. It’s not a film that offers closure, but it does offer perspective. That’s more than enough.

This story manages to leave an imprint without shouting for attention. It’s reflective without being preachy and emotional without relying on melodrama. Above all, it’s a heartfelt story told with precision and care. And sometimes, that’s the most powerful kind of storytelling there is.

Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.

You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. My social media accounts can also be found on most platforms by searching for 'Overly Honest Reviews'.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please don't hesitate to say hello or send me any questions about movies.

[photo courtesy of FREESTYLE DIGITAL MEDIA]

DISCLAIMER:
At Overly Honest Movie Reviews, we value honesty and transparency. Occasionally, we receive complimentary items for review, including DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, Vinyl Records, Books, and more. We assure you that these arrangements do not influence our reviews, as we are committed to providing unbiased and sincere evaluations. We aim to help you make informed entertainment choices regardless of our relationship with distributors or producers.

Amazon Affiliate Links:
Additionally, this site contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a commission. This affiliate arrangement does not affect our commitment to honest reviews and helps support our site. We appreciate your trust and support in navigating these links.